Business: Corporate Catalysis

From vast, subterranean Michigan streams Dow Chemical Co. pumps brackish water, produces aspirin, phenol, ammonia, chlorine. From the vast Pacific, Great Western Electro-Chemical Co. dredges salt, manufactures liquid chlorine, caustic soda, caustic potash. In a corporate chemical reaction last month these two companies decided to combine. Last week their stockholders approved the process. Catalyst of the consolidation was Willard Henry Dow, elder son of the late, great Chemist Herbert Henry Dow. No chemical genius but an efficient business executive, Willard Dow graduated from University of Michigan in 1919, went to work for...

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